Research by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), and commissioned by WWF, measures engagement, awareness and action for nature in 27 languages, across 54 countries globally, covering 80% of the world’s population, over five years (2016 – 2020).
Findings from the report show that more people than ever before: use social media to educate and organise on behalf of nature; factor sustainability into their purchasing decisions; and pressure decision-makers by signing petitions and taking to the streets in protest. That trend is growing – particularly in emerging markets.
The report shows that a growing number of people around the world are concerned about our relationship with nature, changing their ways, and demanding more radical action to protect our one home.
The natural world is under threat. In the Amazon, more than 150 acres of rainforest are lost every minute of every day. Wildlife population sizes have seen an alarming average drop of 68% since 1970. And this isn’t just about the natural world – it’s about our world as well. We depend on nature for our own survival, livelihoods, happiness, and as seen with COVID-19, our health – the destruction of nature only increases the chances of future pandemics emerging. Our broken relationship with nature is putting the future of people and planet at risk.
Humanity may be responsible for the destruction of our planet – but humanity is also waking up…and stepping up.
Findings from a new eye-opening report by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) commissioned by WWF, spanning 54 countries that hold 80% of the world’s population, reveal that we’re entering a new era of change – perhaps the most important era for the future of humanity and our planet.
An Eco-Wakening: Measuring global engagement, awareness and action for nature is an Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) report that has been commissioned by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The findings are based on an extensive literature review, insights from an expert panel and a modelling exercise conducted by The EIU between May and December 2020.
“Without biodiversity, there is no future for humanity.” David Macdonald, Oxford University Professor of Wildlife Conservation
Top 5 takeaways from the report:
1 – Concern for nature loss has soared across the world.
2 – On Twitter, mentions of ‘nature loss’ have grown 65% since 2016.
3 – Google searches about biodiversity and nature have risen 16% worldwide. In India, they leaped a staggering 190% with big increases across other emerging markets too.
4 – Searches for sustainable goods are also up 71%.
5 – While news stories about nature protests are booming. From 2016 to 2018, media coverage of demonstrations grew a steady 7% a year. But between 2018 and 2019, it leaped by 103%.
Media coverage has appeared across 15 countries and a number of regions, including: many Latin American outlets, Australia, Belgium, Cyprus, Germany, India, Laos, China, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, South Africa, Switzerland, Turkey, UK and US. Some highlights include:
+ Forbes ‘Eco-Awakening’ Accelerates
+ Reuters global wire, Healthcare section: Concern over nature loss surging in developing nations, online trends show
+ WEF Agenda article: “How much do we really care about nature? A new report reveals all”
+ The World Economic Forum also produced this fantastic video
+ TRT Worldwide, News/ Life section: The next wave of eco-warriors will likely come from emerging market
+ AAP, a local Australian wire service filed a story titled: “Biodiversity concerns high among Aussies” which ran on more than 100 online news sites in Australia
+ A number of stories in Spanish covering the “Eco-Desperar”, including Economis: Crisis ambiental: cada vez más personas se preocupan por la pérdida de naturaleza en el mundo
Despite the challenging situation in India there were over 15 articles articles, including in The Times of India (the leading and one of the largest circulated paper in India and the world) Rise in awareness about nature loss as eco-wakening grips globe
As for social media highlights, on 19 May, there were 1,842 online mentions of the eco-wakening, which came mostly from Twitter, with a potential reach of 87 million, which is the total following (total number of followers) of all people posting about the Eco-wakening report on Twitter.
Read the EIU report here.
